McConnell House

1935 Part 2

It had gotten dark, but we could still hear conflict in the city, but to a much lesser degree. We had the liquid courage running through our veins, so were ready to take on the world. The only problem was the world wouldn’t keep spinning. But God loves kids, fools, and drunks. We made it down to street level with the added bonus of not killing ourselves. Joe could hold his liquor better than me or Harry, so he remembered the house we were going to meet Danny and Walter at.

On the way there, we sobered up in a hurry. The police action against the protesters had left a lot of destruction. I didn’t know what had happened to my fellow trekkers, both at the stadium and at the rally, but I was sure it wasn’t anything good. Who knew how long the police raid had been planned, maybe even before we arrived in Regina.

For the most part we didn’t see anyone; I figured it was probably three in the morning by then. A few times we heard policeman coming our way, but we were able to avoid them. We were almost there when we ran into two policeman. Before we could hide, they saw us. So we continued to walk toward them, pretending we were supposed to be there. Both were Regina Police, not the dreaded RCMP. They held there billy clubs out, giving us the look over as we approached. Faces of stone, I couldn’t tell what they were thinking. I could guess the way we looked it wasn’t good. Dirty suits, our hats lost long ago, showing our greasy messy hair. Typical trekker. Prepared for the worst, hoping for the best, I spoke first;

“Excuse me; I was wondering if you could direct us back to the exhibition grounds?’

The cops looked at me like I had grown two heads and started speaking to them in mandarin. The senior cop, who looked like he saw his fair share of battles before tonight, finally answered;

“You’ve gotten completely turned around boyo, it’s on the other side of the city.” The policeman said with a thick Irish accent, “No surprise there considering the night we’re having. Me and the boy will escort you back.” His partner looked about thirty five and built like a brick house.

“It’s OK, I’m sure we’ll be able to find it now.” I said.

“No, no, I insist. Can’t have anything happen to the fine visitors of Regina now can we? Off we go now.”

I looked at Joe and Harry, gave a helpless shrug and followed the old timer and his “boy”. There was no way out of this. To resist more would lead to suspicion, which there was plenty already, no matter the friendly nature of the cop. He could be leading us to our untimely doom for all we knew, so the only way to get out of it was to keep alert and find an opportunity to ditch them.

A few blocks back we heard an uproar of laughter coming from a side street. Down there was a group of boys, young teens, throwing rocks at store windows.

“You damn kids, knock that off before I come and knock YOU off.” The older officer yelled.

The kids laughed as they made obscene gestures toward our direction. The cop turned red with fury, I had a feeling he knew the kids.

“I see you down there Johnny, don’t think your parents won’t know what you are up too. Get back here!”

The Johnny gang took off the opposite direction, laughing all the while, cat calling the copper. I didn’t think it possible, but he got redder then even before.

“Boy, you watch these bums. I won’t be a minute. They get out of line, bust em one.” The cop said, running after the kids. The younger cop grunted, and turned a menacing stare toward us. On the intelligence level, I didn’t think he rated much. The older cop ran out of sight chasing the boys. After about ten minutes I could tell that Boy cop was getting nervous, wondering where his partner went. Heaven forbid if he had to make a decision.